KNC
Well-known member
A burger van owner has been told he can no longer sell hot snacks to football fans.
A government inspector has told Gerard McGill that he cannot run his food outlet near the car park of Falmer Station on Albion match days.
Mr McGill had appealed to the inspector against Brighton and Hove City Council, which had told him he could not run the mobile hot food and drink take-away in the back garden of a home in Station Approach, Brighton.
Residents had complained that the cooking smells, noise and litter generated by supporters queuing by Peckish Snack Bar had ruined their weekends and evenings.
The burger seller had been operating near the station under a temporary licence ever since the new £100 million American Express Community Stadium opened in August 2011.
However in February, he was given one month to shut down his business after the council ruled he was operating without planning permission.
Mr McGill submitted two planning applications for permanent permission but the council says both were returned to him as key information was missing.
On average, more than 9,000 fans used Falmer Station for every Albion game last season.
In his appeal, Mr McGill asked for approval to run his business for 28 days a year only.
However, Government officials dismissed the appeal and upheld the original enforcement notice due to the unacceptable effects on neighbouring homes.
Martin Randall, Brighton and Hove City Council’s head of planning, said: “We are pleased that the government planning inspector has upheld our decision to service an enforcement notice on Mr McGill.
“Although the council is committed to encouraging small businesses, we also have to ensure that they are located in appropriate sites and do not have a negative impact on residential properties.
“We hope that Mr McGill will now act swiftly to remove the van so that residents can once again enjoy the peace and privacy of their homes and gardens.”
Mr McGill was unavailable for comment.
A government inspector has told Gerard McGill that he cannot run his food outlet near the car park of Falmer Station on Albion match days.
Mr McGill had appealed to the inspector against Brighton and Hove City Council, which had told him he could not run the mobile hot food and drink take-away in the back garden of a home in Station Approach, Brighton.
Residents had complained that the cooking smells, noise and litter generated by supporters queuing by Peckish Snack Bar had ruined their weekends and evenings.
The burger seller had been operating near the station under a temporary licence ever since the new £100 million American Express Community Stadium opened in August 2011.
However in February, he was given one month to shut down his business after the council ruled he was operating without planning permission.
Mr McGill submitted two planning applications for permanent permission but the council says both were returned to him as key information was missing.
On average, more than 9,000 fans used Falmer Station for every Albion game last season.
In his appeal, Mr McGill asked for approval to run his business for 28 days a year only.
However, Government officials dismissed the appeal and upheld the original enforcement notice due to the unacceptable effects on neighbouring homes.
Martin Randall, Brighton and Hove City Council’s head of planning, said: “We are pleased that the government planning inspector has upheld our decision to service an enforcement notice on Mr McGill.
“Although the council is committed to encouraging small businesses, we also have to ensure that they are located in appropriate sites and do not have a negative impact on residential properties.
“We hope that Mr McGill will now act swiftly to remove the van so that residents can once again enjoy the peace and privacy of their homes and gardens.”
Mr McGill was unavailable for comment.